“I know I need more income!” This is a statement we hear often at RSK. The next question is, “How can financial coaching help me increase my income?”
Instead of just explaining, let us show you. Below are 50 ideas that our team of coaches has helped families implement to achieve their financial goals. Every idea you’ll read has been tailored to a specific family and has brought them real, positive results. These are not just concepts—they’re proven strategies that have worked for real people.
Before you dive in, here’s something we’d like you to consider: There are two ways you can approach this list. The first is to find reasons why these ideas wouldn’t work for you. You can do that, but the second way is much more powerful. Look at each idea and think, “This worked for them—what can this inspire me to do for my family?” Every family is unique, and that’s exactly why an RSK coach works with you to discover the right combination of strategies that will meet your specific needs.
Some families needed to increase their income to cover day-to-day expenses. Others wanted to fill gaps during seasonal or annual cycles. Some were focused on paying off debts, and others simply needed a temporary boost. Whatever your reason, your RSK coach will help you identify the approach that works for you. Now, here are the ideas that have helped others on their journey
- Rent out garage to a woodworking shop: Utilize available space by renting it out to a woodworking business for additional income.
- Take in high school borders for a year: Offer room and board to high school students for a year to help offset household expenses.
- Sell hobby cakes – elaborate themed cakes: Turn a passion for baking into a business by creating and selling specialty cakes for events and celebrations.
- Pursue old outstanding debts that were owed: Revisit old debts that were once thought uncollectible and pursue them for payment.
- Give sewing lessons to girls in the neighborhood: Share sewing skills by offering lessons to young girls in the local community.
- Take a Graphics course and start doing small projects: Enroll in a graphics course and start taking on small freelance design projects to earn extra income.
- Ask for a long overdue raise: Approach your employer to request a raise that reflects your hard work and value within the company.
- Sold business to a family member who is now successfully operating it: Sell a family business to a relative, who continues to operate it successfully from home while paying rent, creating a new source of income.
- Restructure pay from hourly wages to commission-based salary: Transition from hourly wages to a commission-based structure to motivate higher sales and increase overall income.
- Seize the opportunity to cater for a newly opened event hall: Take advantage of catering opportunities at a new event hall, boosting income from special events.
- Shift focus to industrial companies: Move focus to industrial sectors, resulting in a significant increase in income.
- Start a healing practice: Use prior training to open a healing practice, working with clients each week and offering therapeutic services.
- Get certified in a new industry: Obtain certification in an industry that requires a short course and certification, creating new career opportunities.
- Create a course in a field of past experience: Develop and teach a course in an area where you once had significant experience but had to step back from due to family commitments.
- Automate billing for child mentoring: Set up automated billing systems for child mentoring, ensuring regular payments and eliminating payment collection stress.
- Raise fees for existing classes: Increase fees for classes already being taught by 15%, leading to higher income without affecting student enrollment.
- Accept a part-time fundraising job: Take on a part-time fundraising role that generates more income than the primary job.
- Take on side mechanic jobs: A mechanic can increase their income by taking on side jobs in addition to their main role.
- Switch from dry goods to computer technology sales: Transition from a dry goods store to computer technology sales, enhancing both job performance and satisfaction.
- Raise prices in a family business: A family-run business can increase prices after implementing the first steps of financial coaching to improve profitability.
- Rent out part of the house for offices/storage: Rent out unused areas of the home for office or storage space to generate additional income.
- Take on a night job tutoring: Take a part-time tutoring job in the evenings to supplement income.
- Add private clients to a day job: Take on private clients for specific skills during evenings or weekends to earn extra income.
- Buy out part of a business: Purchase a stake in a business you’re working for to increase your share of the profits.
- Wife takes on more kids in playgroup: A wife can increase income by taking in more children for playgroup and adding extra paid days around holidays.
- Take a second job: Take on a second job to supplement your primary income and increase overall earnings.
- Invest time in commission-based work: A commission-based role may only require 20 hours a week, but by doubling down on effort, more deals can be acquired and income increased.
- Build metrics for a bonus system: Set up performance metrics that, when met, will trigger bonus payments for completed work.
- Focus on sales to hit income goals: A sales-focused role allows you to directly align your efforts with personal income goals.
- Do handyman odd jobs on the side: Take on handyman projects outside of your main job to earn additional income.
- Learn to understand business finances: Educate yourself on the financials of your business to help it grow and remain profitable.
- Switch roles within the same company: Transition to a different division within the same company to improve job satisfaction and potentially earn more.
- Offer private therapy for higher rates: Reduce hours at a less profitable agency and offer private therapy services at higher rates to increase income.
- Work overtime hours (time-and-a-half): Take on overtime hours when available to earn extra income at a higher rate.
- Pivot food company focus from Milchik to Fleishich: Changing the focus from milchik (dairy) products to fleishich (meat) products in the food industry, which can be more profitable.
- Organize fitness classes: Start organizing fitness classes, offering a way to earn income while keeping fit.
- Work early morning Kollel: Take on an early morning Kollel shift to balance work and spiritual commitments, providing an additional income stream.
- Increase tenant rent to current market rates: If you rent out space, bring tenant rent up to current market rates to increase income.
- Work night hours for a car service: Take on night hours for a car service, such as Uber or Lyft, to increase earnings during non-peak daytime hours.
- Offer tutoring in a subject you’re skilled at: Use your knowledge in a particular subject to offer tutoring services to students.
- Start a drop-off babysitting group at home: Offer childcare services by starting a drop-off babysitting group at your home.
- Rent out house for Yom Tov/Shabbos/Summer: Rent out your home when you’re not using it, such as for Yom Tov, Shabbos, or during summer months, to generate extra income.
- Rent out finished basement for simchas: If you have a finished basement, consider renting it out for people hosting simchas (celebrations) on weekends.
- Basic accounting & opening LLCs: Start a small business offering accounting services and assisting clients in opening LLCs.
- Opening a Side Business: Find a long standing passion that you always wished you could provide and turn it into a business.
- Traveling notary: Offer mobile notary services for individuals and businesses who need documents notarized at their location.
- Home closings for title companies: Provide home closing services at clients’ locations for title companies, offering a convenient and mobile service.
- Asking Employer to Pay for Transportation: Request that your employer cover transportation costs, saving you money and ensuring a more efficient workday.
- Give art classes on Sunday: If you have artistic skills, offer art classes on Sundays to earn additional income.
- Teacher running an extracurricular project: Start or run an extracurricular project, such as a club or class, to bring in extra funds.
Oops! We promised you 50, but we’ve got even more to share. Here are a few extra for you!
- Nutritionist: Offered night Zoom hours to increase availability.
- Therapist: Completed additional training in a new modality.
- Personal Trainer: Offered group sessions at a discounted price for friends, with an increased per-session rate for individual training.
- Makeup Artist: Expanded services to include wig (sheitel) styling and hair services.
- Finance: Transferred funds to a high-yield savings account for better returns.
- Consulting: Took on a higher-paying consulting job for a few hours a week.
- Seasonal Business: Expanded a seasonal business into a more year-round operation.
- Employee Benefits: Made pre-tax health insurance benefits a non-negotiable part of the job process.
- Entrepreneurship: Transitioned from a 9-5 employee to starting a remote executive assistant business, serving multiple clients.
- Sales: Contributed to sales in a non-sales role at the company, increasing overall revenue.
Alright, alright, we could go on forever, but we think you’ve got the gist.
So no, the answer isn’t just about getting a raise. Each of these ideas can be implemented on their own or in combination, depending on your skills, time, and interests. The real key is to find opportunities that tap into your strengths and passions while also meeting the needs of your family and community.
It’s about recognizing the value and assets you already have to offer. Whether it’s space, time, energy, knowledge, or skills—everyone has something unique to contribute. We believe that Hashem has equipped each person with the wisdom and value they can share with the world.
So, what’s your value?
